FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
The body of Halona Blowhole victim, 18-year-old Daniel Dick, was recovered yesterday morning by the Honolulu Fire Department and brought to the Maunalua Bay boat ramp. Dick was found in the Blowhole's well by divers nearly 20 hours after he straddled the Blowhole, was blown into the air by a surge of water and then dropped into the hole. The victim's mother and two brothers grieved together after viewing the body.
An 18-year-old Los Angeles man who died after being pulled into the Blowhole on Sunday was president of his high school class and had plans to attend California State University-Northridge in the fall, his mother told fire officials yesterday. Blowhole victim
was class leaderThe 18-year-old had planned
to go to Cal State-NorthridgeBy Mary Vorsino
mvorsino@starbulletin.comDaniel Dick's mother declined told fire officials yesterday that her son was a model employee and student, Honolulu fire Capt. Richard Soo said.
Dick was found in the Blowhole's well yesterday morning by divers, nearly 20 hours after he straddled the Blowhole, was blown into the air by a surge of water and then dropped into the hole.
Despite warnings from signs and bystanders, Dick inched closer and closer to the Blowhole before straddling it, which may suggest that he was not aware that waves and blowouts at the Blowhole are erratic, Soo said.
"People not familiar with the ocean have a habit of trying to get as close to the cliff" at the Blowhole site as they can, Soo said. "You have to know your limitations."
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
The body of Halona Blowhole victim Daniel Dick was recovered by Honolulu Fire Department personnel yesterday and brought to the Maunalua Bay boat ramp. Later, the victim's mother thanked HFD rescue personnel.
Dick was vacationing in Hawaii with his mother and two younger brothers. The family was expecting to return to Los Angeles today but will delay their return.
Dick walked to the Blowhole with a college-age woman from Washington, one of three women he had met in Waikiki and traveled with on TheBus to Sandy Beach. The two other women remained at the beach.
After the incident, Dick's mother and brothers arrived on the scene and stayed until fire officials suspended their search about 8 p.m. Sunday.
Fire crews began searching again at daybreak yesterday morning and found Dick about 10:15 a.m.
Dick's mother and brothers were on the scene when his body was found.
Soo said the state has taken precautions to make sure that people are aware of the Blowhole's danger by posting signs and closing an old stairway with a deck at the site. But "people can get complacent ... and think it is calmer than it really is" there. The last death at the Blowhole was 16 years ago.
